Atlanta Braves provide Phase III transportation update

The Atlanta Braves and its partners have unveiled several key transportation updates for SunTrust Park and The Battery Atlanta, including the pilot of a new technology from Uber, the team’s official ridesharing partner. During a briefing, the Braves and their partners also shared a sneak peek of the updated MLB.com Ballpark app, an overview of the collaborative approach to real-time transportation management between the Braves, Cobb County and other partners, a look at the new routes for the Cumberland Circulator and an update of the total number of parking spaces the team has under its control – the team will be able to offer more than 14,000 parking spaces owned or leased by the organization for game day (5,000 more spaces than were available at Turner Field). Additionally, Cobb County and the City of Smyrna have issued independent parking permits for several operators in the area, bringing more than 1,200 additional parking spots into play.

“By working hand in hand with our partners, we have been able to develop a detailed, comprehensive approach to getting to SunTrust Park,” says Mike Plant, president, development for the Braves. “Many elements of this approach are fundamentally different than the fan’s experience at Turner Field. From our partnerships with Uber and Waze to our request that all fans buy their parking in advance, these new tactics deliver a greater suite of choices for our fans.”

More than US$1bn has spent on infrastructure investments in the area as the Braves seek to utilize the 14 access points to the ballpark to distribute traffic across a broader area, while minimizing the impact on everyday commuters in the region.

During the briefing (held on Monday), Uber announced the pilot of a new technology that makes the pick-up experience faster and more efficient at SunTrust Park.

Riders leaving SunTrust Park will be directed to the Uber Zone, which is located steps from the ballpark along Windy Ridge Parkway, through in-app messaging and physical signage. At the Uber Zone, fans will open their Uber app, set their destination and request a car as usual. Instead of having to navigate to find a specific car and driver, riders will see a personalized PIN code in their app and can simply give it to the next available driver in the Uber Zone.

“Braves fans across metro Atlanta can count on Uber for a reliable ride to and from SunTrust Park,” says Uber Atlanta general manager Luke Marklin. “As part of our effort to help fans get home as quickly as possible, we are piloting a technology that makes it easier to find your ride when so many people are leaving a game at the same time.”

Cobb County DOT also offered additional details on the Cumberland Circulator, which launches three initial routes on March 31. The Circulator will provide high-frequency service along convenient accessible routes in the Cumberland area, helping to reduce congestion, enhance existing transit service, increase mobility and promote economic activity.